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The guide outlines city and partner resources that provide mission-driven financing, advising, training, and help through licensing and permitting. 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Other listed departments include Economic Development, Planning/Planning Board, Fire & Life Safety Inspector, and the City Clerk for applications and licenses.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":78,"og:type":121,"og:title":59,"og:site_name":91,"og:description":61},"article",{"robots":123,"canonical":78},"index,follow",{"doc_id":125,"site_id":56},352756,1791307273,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":128},{"doc_id":125,"user_id":129,"nickname":88,"user_avatar":130,"doc_module":9,"category_id":40,"category_name":41,"doc_title":59,"doc_description":61,"doc_content":131,"file_id":132,"file_url":133,"file_type":134,"file_size":135,"view_count":101,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":9,"is_downloadable":9,"audit_status":9,"page_count":136,"language":137,"language_code":57,"site_id":56,"html_lang":57,"table_of_contents":138,"faqs":139,"seo_title":140,"seo_description":61,"update_tm":141,"read_time":142},137455077381,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_994ba38a5ba835b3df7d355c54d3ed8d","CITY OF ELL SWORTH  \nPhoto by No Umbrella Media, courtesy of Heart of Ellsworth  \nDear Prospective Business Owner,  \nWelcome to Ellsworth, Maine! We’re excited to support you in your business journey!  \nThis guide is designed to be your starting point, providing key information on city contacts, processes, regulations, and helpful resources to make doing business in Ellsworth as smooth as possible. Our dedicated city staff is ready to assist you with any questions you may have.  \nWe look forward to partnering with you for your success!  \nCity of Ellsworth  \nWELCOME  \nLET’S STARTHERE  \nGuide Overview  \nThis guide is designed to help business owners navigate the startup process in Ellsworth. In the following pages, you'll find essential contacts, a step-by-step walkthrough of the licensing and permitting procedures, a checklist to keep you on track, and information on organizations who can help you when you’ve established your business!  \nPlease note that this guide is not intended to cover every type of business. We encourage you to review information relevant to your specific business needs, as different businesses may require different processes.  \nIt all starts with a plan...  \nWhen starting a business, there are many factors to consider before you begin. These include defining your business concept and target market, choosing the right business structure, addressing any legal requirements, planning your finances, managing logistics, selecting a location, creating a marketing strategy, and planning for growth. Additionally, it's important to assess your personal investment of time, skills, and resources.  \nWrite out a plan outlining key points and strategies, this will help you identify potential challenges, stay focused, identify and pursue funding, and maintain momentum throughout your business journey.  \nCheck out the last page of the guide for a Lean Business Plan template to get you started.  \nPhoto by No Umbrella Media, courtesy of Heart of Ellsworth  \nStay on track with support tailored to your business goals .  \nCoastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI) is a Community Development Financial Institution that supports individuals starting businesses by providing mission-driven financing, business expertise, and policy advocacy to promote equitable economic opportunities. CEI pairs supportive advising with lending to mitigate risk and foster success, aiming to build climate-resilient, inclusive, and thriving local economies, particularly in Maine and rural areas. CEI has an office right here in Ellsworth at 416 Water Street in the Union River Center for Innovation.  \nContact CEI at: [info@ceimaine.org](info@ceimaine.org) or (207)664-2990 Website: [ceimaine.org](ceimaine.org)  \nThe Maine Small Business Development Center (SBDC) helps entrepreneurs start and grow businesses by offering no-cost, confidential advising and training. Their certified advisors provide expert guidance on business planning, financing, marketing, e-commerce, and more. Supported by the U. S. Small Business Administration and other partners, the Maine SBDC has assisted tens of thousands of clients over 40 years through personalized advising, workshops, and online resources.  \n[Contact SBDC at: ](Contact SBDC at: mainesbdc@maine.edu)[mainesbdc@maine.edu](Contact SBDC at: mainesbdc@maine.edu) or (207)780-4420 [Website: ](Website: mainesbdc.org)[mainesbdc.org](Website: mainesbdc.org)  \nCITY SUPPORT FOR YOU  \nListed here are the city departments that may be involved in the licensing and permitting process when you are looking to open a new business or expand on an existing operation. Have a question? Contact City Hall at (207)667-2563 to speak with any of the departments below, they are here to help!  \nCode Enforcement  \nYour first stop in the licensing and permitting process is here! The Code office will ensure your business is allowed at your chosen location. They will walk you through the requirements from start to finish using the checklist provided in this gu","cbCaipIjoyCcHj8w","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaipIjoyCcHj8w","pdf",52452470,20,"English","# Guide Overview\n## City Support for You\n## Why Ellsworth?","[{\"question\":\"What should you prepare before starting a business in Ellsworth?\",\"answer\":\"Prepare a written plan covering your business concept and target market, business structure, legal requirements, finances, logistics, location, marketing strategy, and growth, and assess your personal time, skills, and resources.\"},{\"question\":\"Which organizations provide support for new businesses?\",\"answer\":\"Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI) provides mission-driven financing and business expertise, while the Maine Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers no-cost, confidential advising and training.\"},{\"question\":\"Which city departments may be involved in licensing and permitting?\",\"answer\":\"Code Enforcement is the first stop for location eligibility and checklist requirements. Other listed departments include Economic Development, Planning/Planning Board, Fire \\u0026 Life Safety Inspector, and the City Clerk for applications and licenses.\"}]","Starting-a-Business-Guide - City of Ellsworth Guide | PDF",1790101241,7]